Just when you thought college football couldn’t possibly get any weirder, one of the strangest stories trickled out of Blacksburg.

According to a report from Sports Illustrated, players on Virginia Tech’s 2018 team were actually hoping to lose the season finale against Marshall to avoid having to play in a bowl game. Several players were encouraging teammates to throw the game.

Losing to Marshall in the final game of the year would’ve resulted in a 5-7 season for the Hokies, eliminating them from bowl eligibility.

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“Do not catch a touchdown,” one Hokie said, according to Tre Turner, a freshman receiver on VT last season. ” If you catch a touchdown, I’m going to have to fight you.”

Another teammate was heard saying, “Well, if we lose we can go home early and don’t have to go to a bowl game.”

Doesn’t quite sound like everyone is on board with Justin Fuente’s mission in Blacksburg, which usually isn’t a good sign.

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Virginia Tech did defeat Marshall 41-20 and finished the regular season 6-6 and played in the Military Bowl against Cincinnati. The Hokies fell 35-31 to the Bearcats.

So, in the end, the Hokies did get that seventh loss some were hoping to add to the record. It just came a week later than some would’ve liked, apparently.